American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (http://www.aflcio.org/)
The AFL-CIO website provides labor news, policy statements, and public documents. There is an economic research library with essays on selected economic issues and extensive links to other union sites. Their Research Resources page supplies a wealth of information on corporate accountability; corporate finance, governance and operations; and political campaign and nonprofit finances. Executive Paywatch has useful links to information on CEO wages.
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (http://www.afscme.org/)
The AFSCME Information Center has brought together AFSCME publications and the best Internet resources for labor research. The website includes their own guide to company research on the Internet.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/)
The BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public; the U.S. Congress; other federal agencies; state and local governments; business; and labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor. Information on occupational employment and wage estimates for various industries is available here.
Department of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/)
The U.S. Department of Labor website provides statutory, regulatory information and labor-related data. It includes information on wages and hours; health care plans and benefits; and unemployment insurance. Publications in Spanish from the Employee Benefits Security Administration are also available. Top 20 Requested Items provides an especially useful summary of the most commonly used resources on the website, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection statistics and current employment statistics.
Institute for Research on Labor and Employment: Labor Research Portal http://www.irle.berkeley.edu/
While this portal from the University of California at Berkeley’s Institute offers exceptionally strong coverage of labor issues in California, it also provides comprehensive coverage of sources for labor research throughout the United States. Useful links on labor and employment are categorized by topic, and library catalogs and other online resources are also listed.
Labor Notes (http://labornotes.org/)
“Labor Notes is a media and organizing project” that is best known for its monthly magazine publication. It’s a great source of current issues and events in the labor movement. The magazine highlights inventive organizing tactics and contract campaigns, as well as workers’ stories of struggle and solidarity. Search articles by keywords or draw your mouse over ‘Magazines’ and peruse “Archives’ or ‘Current Issue’.
LaborNet (http://www.labornet.org/)
LaborNet is a global online communication network for a democratic, independent labor movement. The website includes a current blog, news archives, and resources.
National Employment Law Project (http://www.nelp.org)
The NELP works in partnership with national, state and local allies to promote policies and programs that create good jobs, strengthen upward mobility, enforce hard-won worker rights, and help unemployed workers regain their economic footing through improved benefits and services. Their section on labor market research provides information on their current research projects on growth of unregulated work, unemployment, and industry studies. Other issues covered by the NELP include living wage and minimum wage; enforcement of workplace standards; and immigrants and work. Each topic has links to credible resources.
National Labor Relations Board (http://www.nlrb.gov)
The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency created by Congress to administer the National Labor Relations Act, the primary law governing relations between unions and employers in the private sector. The website contains links to frequently requested documents and decisions of the board, regional directors and administrative law judges.
U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Health and Safety Administration (http://www.osha.gov)
This government website provides full reports of OSHA inspections. These include regular inspections and those filed due to complaints or accidents. Information on violations, fines, and descriptions of incidents are also available. Be sure to mark “Exact Match” when searching or you will get irrelevant information.
The Union Membership and Coverage Database (http://www.unionstats.com/)
The Union Membership and Coverage Database is an Internet data resource providing private and public sector labor union membership, coverage, and density estimates compiled from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly household survey, using BLS methods.
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